Five people arrested for stealing from California wildfire evacuees

OXNARD, Calif. – Five people were arrested after allegedly burglarizing vehicles of residents who stayed in Oxnard after leaving their homes during the Thomas Fire, police said.

(Top, left to right) Lisette Topete, Juan Carrillo, Maryann Zuniga, (bottom left to right) David Rosales and Jasmine Zavala are shown in photos released by the Oxnard Police Department on Dec. 19, 2017.

The incidents occurred sometime during the night of Dec. 5 as the massive Thomas Fire raged through Ventura County, according to KTLA. Oxnard police said two black Suburbans parked in the 3700 block Dunkirk Drive were broken into and personal belongings were stolen.

The victims included a family who drove to the location and spent the night with friends. Jewelry, a guitar, clothing, electronics and personal papers were stolen from their vehicles. About $75,000 worth of property was taken, Oxnard police estimated.

About $10,000 in charges were made on a credit card, leading police to the suspects, authorities said.

Officers responded to a disturbance at the Channel Islands Inn five days later and served a search warrant on a room, where they found three suspects.

Another suspect, David Rosales, 28, was arrested on Dec. 18 on suspicion of unrelated charges and was allegedly in possession of property belonging to the victims of the vehicle burglaries, police said.

Rosales’ Camrillo home was searched and more stolen property was found there, police said.

Lisette Topete, 28, was also arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property, possession of stolen credit cards and drug-related charges.

Police are asking for the public’s help in recovering property stolen from Thomas Fire victims.

Anyone with information can call Detective Chip Buttell at 805-385-7755.